John delighted by 'intent to play'

Coach Paul John praised the 'intent to play' shown by his free-flowing Blues as they turned on the style to stun Edinburgh Rugby 29-22 and record a try bonus point win on the road in the RaboDirect PRO12.

The Friday night fixture was switched to the unfamiliar setting of Meggetland, but it soon became a second home for Blues who hit top form in an enthralling clash.

Tries from Cory Allen, Filo Paulo, Dan Fish and a late try bonus score from Dafydd Hewitt wrapped up maximum points for Blues to send them up to ninth in the table and close the gap on the top six.

And the performance was hailed by Attack Coach John who insisted Blues could have enjoyed an even more comfortable win as they saw other scoring chances go begging.

He said: "I felt we deserved the victory and played some cracking stuff. We had a lot of chances in the second half too and I felt we blew a few, if I am honest. But we showed composure when in a winning position.

"To get a bonus-point win away from home, and first away win of the league campaign this year, is a great result.

"We wanted to continue where we left off against Ulster at home and get that win on the road. We want to keep the momentum going and that is the big factor for us. We needed this win and we can now look forward to next Sunday.

"It was a real team effort. It's also great to have players like Matthew Rees back on the field, Gethin Jenkins is back from international duty and leading the side well and Bradley Davies has been training well and is now back on the field.

"It's a massive boost to have senior internationals back out there. It improves training and they have very high standards and demand that from everyone around them. It was a boost and it had an impact on everyone.

"The intent to play was really evident tonight," he added. "If we can retain the ball even better we will be a tough side to play against.

"We attacked the areas we identified, maybe we gave the ball away too much in the wide channel, but we told the players to play with their heads up, attack wide and distribute the ball.

"If we kept the ball better, and show more patience, we could have scored a few more tries."

Cardiff Blues face Newport Gwent Dragons in a huge European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final on Saturday, April 4 - and you can celebrate pre and post-match with Cardiff Blues and the Cardiff Blues Supporters' Club at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park!

Welsh Pro Rugby's main sponsor BT Sport will help make it a Welsh derby day to remember for thousands of rugby supporters at the big European quarter-final with the creation of a buzzing Family Village at Rodney Parade.

Cardiff Blues are hosting a special Open Evening this Wednesday night at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park to give prospective students and parents the chance to discover more about our new and exciting rugby education programme.

Our Cardiff Blues Rugby Camps return this Easter to give children right across our region the opportunity to participate in rugby during the holidays - and after selling out our last two camps you can book NOW to avoid any disappointment!

Supporters are being invited to get on their bike and gear up for an epic charity bike ride from Cardiff to Paris this June - with the last few places now available to raise vital funds for #StayStrongForOws

The players at Cardiff Blues will be hoping to play with some true Gallic flair for the rest of the Guinness PRO12 season - after the region teamed up with a successful French bistrot in the Welsh capital.

Cardiff Blues will be celebrating St David's Day when the region faces Edinburgh Rugby at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 12.45pm) - with hundreds of children invited as part of our Regional Schools Day.

Fine footwear retailer The Brogue Trader - one of the official sponsors of Cardiff Blues - is celebrating after being recognised by the British Footwear Association at its annual Footwear Industry Awards.

Battling Cardiff Blues produced a second half performance packed full of character and spirit to push Ulster Rugby all the way in an absorbing Guinness PRO12 encounter at a packed out Kingspan Stadium.

Argentine ace Joaquin Tuculet scored a sensational try in the eighth minute of injury time as Cardiff Blues produced an astonishing finale to snatch victory over Connacht Rugby after an unbelievable Guinness PRO12 encounter.